ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant

THE HAGUE,— The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Thursday that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri.

The charges relate to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The ICC judges stated there is credible evidence to suggest Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for crimes including murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

These actions, they noted, were part of a coordinated attack against the civilian population of Gaza. The blockade of Gaza, coupled with severe shortages of basic necessities like food, water, electricity, and medical supplies, has reportedly led to malnutrition, dehydration, and the deaths of civilians, including children.

Israel has sharply criticized the ICC’s decision. Netanyahu’s office dismissed the ruling as “antisemitic,” with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calling it a “dark moment” for the ICC.

He argued that the court lacked legitimacy, labeling the arrest warrants as “absurd orders without authority.” Netanyahu vowed to press on with Israel’s military objectives despite the international legal challenge.

Hamas praised the court’s action, with a senior official urging the ICC to hold all Israeli leaders accountable for alleged crimes.

Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, was named in the ICC warrant for orchestrating mass killings, rapes, and hostage-taking during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has stated that it killed him in an airstrike in July; however, Hamas has not provided confirmation or denial regarding his death. ICC prosecutors are actively working to verify these reports.

The United States, a key ally of Israel, rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over the case. A White House spokesperson criticized the decision, citing procedural errors in the court’s process. The U.S. is not a member of the ICC, nor is Israel, which limits the court’s ability to enforce its rulings in either country.

Other global powers, including Russia, China, and India, have also declined to join the ICC. However, European Union member states and nations like Canada, Australia, and Brazil support the court. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that the ICC’s decision is a legal matter and urged respect for its rulings.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed this sentiment, stating that Gazans deserve justice for what he described as “Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.” Conversely, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham dismissed the ICC as a “dangerous joke” and called for sanctions against it.

The ICC does not have its own enforcement mechanisms and relies on cooperation from member states to execute arrest warrants. Prosecutor Karim Khan urged signatories of the Rome Statute to fulfill their obligations and assist in holding perpetrators accountable. Khan reaffirmed the court’s commitment to upholding international law despite the challenges.

The conflict, which escalated after Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, has caused significant casualties on both sides.

Israel reported that the attack killed 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of over 250 hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas claims that more than 44,000 Gazans have died due to Israeli airstrikes. However, these figures are viewed as highly unreliable due to Hamas’ role as the governing authority in Gaza and its designation as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and others.

Independent analysts believe the true numbers are significantly lower than Hamas’ claims.

(With files from Reuters)